Healthy credit reports and credit scores can help you
get the best deals on life's big purchases. High credit
scores can save you thousands on home
loans, auto
loans, credit
cards and more. Do you know how to keep your credit
healthy? Here are three key tips:

1. Check your credit reports regularly
– You should check all three of your credit
reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at
least twice a year. If you are preparing for a loan
or other major purchase, you should check your credit
reports more often. Look for signs of identity theft,
inaccuracies and credit problems each time. You can
also check your credit scores online to see where your
credit stands.

2. Keep your debt balances low –
Using debt responsibly is an important part of having
good credit. Keep your credit
card balances well below 35% of your credit limits
at all times. Maxing out your credit cards or carrying
thousands in debt is expensive and bad for your credit
score.

3. Add new positive information to your reports
– A healthy credit
report is constantly updated with new positive information.
Aim to have between 2-6 credit cards and 1-2 loans that
you use responsibly and pay on time each month. This
positive credit behavior helps to improve your credit
scores over time.

Applying for an auto
loan or new account? Need to boost your credit
scores quickly? Here are three tips that can help
you improve your credit scores:

Tip 1: Check your credit report for errors
Negative credit report records such as late payments,
judgments and collection accounts can have a significant
impact on your credit
scores. Check your credit reports from Equifax,
Experian and TransUnion for inaccurate or fraudulent
negative records. If you find a mistake, the dispute
process for removing it will take about three weeks.
Once the negative record is removed, your credit scores
should improve immediately.

Tip 3: Don't close your accounts
It's a common mistake: people will close their credit
card accounts in an attempt to improve their credit.
Not only does closing accounts not boost your scores,
it can actually damage your credit significantly. It
is better to leave unused credit cards and other accounts
open.

Depending on your own credit situation, there may be
other things you can do to improve your credit score.
For example, a person with no credit history may want
to open a new credit card and use it regularly in order
to boost their scores. Check your
credit reports and credit scores online to see exactly
where you stand before you start.

Oh no! You've found a mistake on your credit report!
Maybe it is a late payment that didn't happen or a whole
new account that doesn't below to you. How do you correct
this inaccuracy? Here are a few tips to guide you through
the credit report dispute process:

1. Start by checking all three of your credit
reports – A mistake could appear
on one or more of your credit reports so it is crucial
to check your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion records.
2. Try resolving the issue with the creditor
directly – Sometimes it is easier and
faster to correct the issue by directly calling the
credit card company, lender or other business that reported
the mistake. 3. Visit the credit bureau websites for dispute
instructions – Some bureaus require you
to file your dispute online, others offer mail and phone
systems as well. Detailed instructions will be available
for you online with each national bureau. 4. File a dispute with each credit bureau
– If the error appears on all three of your credit
reports, you'll need to file three separate disputes
with each of the credit bureaus. Equifax, Experian and
TransUnion don't share their credit data. 5. Include documents and evidence if you can
–Your dispute may be processed more quickly if
you provide copies of documents that prove the record
is inaccurate.

Once you have submitted your dispute to the credit
bureaus, it will take about 30 days to process your
request. The credit bureaus will send you a letter once
they have come to a decision about your credit
report correction.